Quick Wiki
- Full Name Angeline Lucille Crowell
- Birth Date Dec 12, 1915
- Age 109 Years, 0 Months
- Death Date 1975-10-10
- Birthplace Pittsburg, Kansas,
- Occupation Showgirl model actress socialite
- Parents Colonel M. Jesse Crowell, Ethel Smiley Crowell,
- Mother Ethel Smiley Crowell,
- Father Colonel M. Jesse Crowell
- Spouses William Woodward Jr. (m. 1943–1955)
- Age At Death 59
Ann Woodward | Biography
Ann Woodward was a New York socialite known for her beauty and the infamous incident involving her husband's death, which marked her life with tragedy and controversy.
Who is Ann Woodward?
Ann Woodward, born Evangeline Crowell on December 12, 1915, in Pittsburg, Kansas, was a prominent New York City socialite known for her tumultuous life marked by scandal and tragedy. After her parents' divorce, she relocated to Kansas City, where she reinvented herself as Ann Eden. With dreams of becoming an actress and model, she moved to New York City and achieved early success, landing a contract with a top modeling agency and securing roles in radio and stage productions. Her beauty and ambition garnered attention, culminating in her marriage to wealthy heir William Woodward Jr. in 1943, which thrust her into the upper echelons of society.
Woodward's life took a dramatic turn in October 1955 when she shot and killed her husband under controversial circumstances, claiming she mistook him for an intruder. Though deemed an accident by a grand jury, the incident sparked widespread speculation and rumors of murder. Following her husband's death, Woodward found herself ostracized from the very society she once navigated with ease. The publication of Truman Capote's thinly veiled account of her life in his unfinished novel "Answered Prayers" further tarnished her reputation. Tragically, in 1975, just days after the excerpt appeared in Esquire magazine, Ann Woodward died by suicide, leaving behind a legacy shrouded in mystery and heartbreak.
Early Life and Education
Ann Woodward, originally born Evangeline Crowell on December 12, 1915, in Pittsburg, Kansas, faced a tumultuous childhood after her parents divorced. Following the separation, she experienced instability with multiple relocations during her formative years, which provided her a backdrop of both hardship and resilience. Despite these challenges, young Evangeline displayed a fierce ambition that eventually led her to reinvent herself in Kansas City as Ann Eden. This transformation set the stage for her later pursuits in modeling and acting, illustrating her determination to rise above her circumstances and forge a new identity.
In 1941, following the death of her mother, Ann made a significant move to New York City. Armed with a dream and a fierce work ethic, she aimed for success in the competitive realms of fashion and entertainment. Her big break came through her modelling contract with the esteemed John Robert Powers agency, which marked the beginning of her career in the limelight. As she secured various roles in theater and radio, Ann’s charm and beauty allowed her to navigate the vibrant yet demanding social scene of New York, laying the foundation for her future as a noted socialite and figure within elite circles.
Marriage to William Woodward Jr. and Family
Ann Woodward's relationship with William Woodward Jr. began when she was working as a showgirl at the New York City nightclub Fefe’s Monte Carlo. Captivated by her beauty and charm, William, who went by “Billy,” pursued Ann, and the couple married in 1943. William was not just a wealthy heir but also a prominent figure in social circles, being the owner of the celebrated racehorse Nashua. At first, their marriage faced challenges, as Ann struggled to gain acceptance among high society, but she eventually learned the intricacies of social life, solidifying their presence in elite circles.
The couple had two sons together, William III and James, who became a source of pride for Ann. However, the marriage was tumultuous, marked by William's request for a divorce in 1947. Ann, determined to maintain her social status and financial security, declined the divorce, which set the stage for a life filled with tension. Ultimately, it was their controversial lifestyle that would become entangled in tragedy when, in 1955, an incident led to William's untimely death, changing the course of Ann's life forever.
Murder Suspect and Suicidal Tragedy
Ann Woodward's life was marked by infamy, particularly due to the tragic incident involving her husband, William Woodward Jr. In October 1955, amidst a series of neighborhood burglaries, Ann claimed she mistook her husband for an intruder and fatally shot him. While the grand jury ultimately did not indict her for murder, public opinion remained divided. Many speculated that the killing was intentional, overshadowing her social standing and leading to a swift decline in her status among the elite of New York society. The incident was a turning point in her life, shattering her reputation and ending her once-promising socialite ambitions.
The culmination of years of turmoil came in October 1975, when Ann was found dead by suicide, having poisoned herself with cyanide. This tragic act occurred just days after Truman Capote published a scandalous excerpt of his unfinished novel, "Answered Prayers," implicating her in her husband's death. Although it remains uncertain if Ann had seen Capote's writing before her death, many believe that the mounting despair of being publicly accused drove her to despair. The tragedy did not end with her death; both of her sons eventually died by suicide themselves, suggesting that the family's suffering was deep and far-reaching, cementing Woodward's legacy as a tragedy intertwined with the dark undercurrents of fame and societal rejection.
TV Portrayals and Legacy
Ann Woodward's intriguing and controversial life has inspired various portrayals in popular culture, most notably within the realms of literature and television. Dominick Dunne's 1985 novel "The Two Mrs. Grenvilles" draws heavily from her saga, particularly her tumultuous relationship with her husband and the circumstances surrounding his suspicious death. This novel was adapted into a television miniseries just two years later, further solidifying Woodward's presence in the collective cultural consciousness. These interpretations explore themes of betrayal, social standing, and the darker sides of glamour and wealth, mirroring the real-life drama that unfolded in Woodward's life.
In 2024, her story receives a fresh retelling in the FX anthology series "Feud: Capote vs. The Swans." Demi Moore takes on the challenging role of Ann Woodward, offering a nuanced exploration of her struggles with rejection and societal expectations. This new installment not only delves into the chilling aspects of Woodward's life, characterized by tragedy and scandal, but it also confronts the profound impact of Truman Capote's writings on her legacy. As public fascination with the “Swans" and their connections to Capote's unfinished works endures, Ann Woodward remains a symbol of the complexities surrounding fame, truth, and the invisible burdens borne by those caught in the spotlight.
Personal Life: Married Life and Children
Ann Woodward's romantic journey began when she crossed paths with William Woodward Jr., the affluent heir to Hanover National Bank, while working as a showgirl at the New York City nightclub FeFe’s Monte Carlo. Their whirlwind romance blossomed, culminating in marriage in 1943. Initially, Ann faced significant challenges as an outsider in high society. However, she adeptly navigated the social landscape, earning her place among the elite. The couple welcomed two sons together, William III and James, strengthening their family ties even amid mounting societal pressures.
Despite the birth of their children, their marriage faced tribulations. In 1947, William sought a divorce, but Ann, unwilling to relinquish the opulence and social status that accompanied her marriage, refused. This decision marked the beginning of a tumultuous period in her life that would ultimately lead to personal tragedy. After the shocking death of her husband in 1955, Ann's standing in society crumbled, leaving her to grapple with the profound impacts on her family and her reputation. The struggles of her sons would subsequently echo her own hardships, underscoring the tragic legacy of the Woodward family.
Net Worth and Earning: Unknown
Ann Woodward, born Evangeline Crowell on December 12, 1915, in Pittsburg, Kansas, became a prominent New York City socialite in the mid-20th century. Initially aspiring to be a model and actress, she relocated to New York after her mother's death in 1941 and transformed her identity into Ann Eden. Her career took off as she landed modeling contracts and acting roles, earning a reputation for her beauty and charm. However, it was her controversial life events, particularly the tragic death of her husband, William Woodward Jr., that would later overshadow her achievements and spark widespread media attention.
The scandal surrounding William's death in 1955, when Ann shot him under the guise of mistaken identity, led to speculation about her involvement in a potential murder. Despite the grand jury's decision not to indict her, the social elite turned away from Woodward, forever altering her social standing. Truman Capote's portrayal of her in his unfinished novel, "Answered Prayers", further fueled the narrative of her alleged crime, culminating in Ann's tragic suicide in 1975. Her life remains a cautionary tale of fame's fleeting nature and the devastating consequences of scandal.
